The ability to have reminders sync via iCloud to iCal on the Mac is a welcome addition to iOS 5. However, this system isn’t nearly as good as it could be.
I set out to try to replicate the core functions of OmniFocus I use. They are:
- Tasks arranged into groups
- Due dates and times
- Alerts on my iPhone
Here are some notes on things I’ve come across that I like:
- Sync is very fast
- “Date” view in the iOS app is much like OmniFocus’ forecast mode
- Sharing a Reminders list with other iCloud users
…and some things I don’t:
- Repeating tasks can only be set up from the iOS app. This cannot be done via iCal or the iCloud website.
- Separate due and alert dates can be set from iOS app. iCloud/iCal just see due time.
- Entering info into the iPhone app — and iCal — is tedious
- The notifications are really dumb. There are no badges for overdue items. In Notification Center, the app shows whatever it feels like, it seems.
Reminders seems like a great little app for little tasks. But I don’t think it can replace OmniFocus, even for someone like me, who doesn’t use lots of the app’s features.
To be honest, this is a little disappointing. I like the idea of using fewer apps. Sadly, there’s still too much friction with Apple’s programs for me to be able to move to them.